New York University vs CUNY Bernard M Baruch College: which has better ROI?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,132 in 0.4 years versus 4.3 years at New York University, on median earnings of $75,971 vs $82,509 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | New York University | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,050 | $3,033 |
| Total net cost | $148,200 | $12,132 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,509 | $75,971 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $11,512 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 0.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $534,780 | $540,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, New York University or CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, at $3,033 a year after aid versus $37,050 — a gap of $34,017 a year, or $136,068 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do New York University or CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates earn more?
New York University graduates report a median $82,509 ten years after entry, $6,538 more than the $75,971 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, New York University or CUNY Bernard M Baruch College?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College: its completers carry a median $11,512 in federal loans versus $20,500 at New York University, a difference of $8,988. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at New York University, against 72% at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.